Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices

Our group is internationally recognized for a complete chain‐of‐knowledge approach spanning from synthesis to device fabrication. In our view, integration of newly‐developed polymers into devices that employ their functionality is essential for demonstrating scientific and economic value. To pursue this integrated approach, we employ staff members with strong expertise in organic synthesis, self-assembly, nano‐ and micro‐structuring, polymer chemistry and technology, mechanics, device optics and physics. We have extensive expertise in manufacturing and testing of devices on a prototype scale.

We develop functional materials by utilizing top‐down and bottom‐up strategies combining molecular design and synthesis, processing and device integration. For bottom‐up structuring of polymers we often apply self‐organization of photopolymerizable liquid crystals into defect‐free, monolithic structures with a wide variety of molecular architectures and functionalities. Often used top-down techniques are photolithography, photo-embossing, holography and (inkjet) printing.